A coalition of agriculture, consumer, auto, union, and renewable fuel producers today sent a letter to members of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee urging them to adopt an 8 billion gallon renewable fuels standard (RFS) as part of their comprehensive energy legislation. Senators Jim Talent (R-MO), Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) plan to offer an amendment to establish an 8 billion gallon RFS during markup of the energy bill.
The letter stated: “The undersigned organizations believe a robust RFS is a vital and necessary component of any comprehensive energy bill and we urge you to vote in favor of this amendment when it is brought up in committee?
“The Talent, Johnson, and Dorgan RFS amendment represents a historic opportunity to put the nation on a path of greater energy independence and national security. Increasing the amount of domestically produced biofuels is supported by more than 25 national security leaders as a vital component of any strategy to reduce our foreign oil dependence. In a recent letter to the President, these leaders urged him to ‘launch a major new initiative to curtail U.S. consumption through improved efficiency and the rapid development and deployment of advanced biomass, alcohol and other available petroleum fuel alternatives.’
“According to a recently released report by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), the increased use of ethanol would help to reduce gasoline prices by as much as 8 cents a gallon. The Talent, Johnson and Dorgan RFS amendment would maximize the production and use of domestic renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel to the benefit of consumers across the country. “Your support for the Talent, Johnson and Dorgan RFS amendment will demonstrate your firm commitment to reducing our petroleum imports while encouraging economic growth through a domestic biofuels industry, helping lower consumer fuel prices and protecting the environment.”
The letter was signed by the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Biodiesel Board, American Soybean Association, American Coalition of Ethanol, Environmental and Energy Study Institute, Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis, Ethanol Producers and Consumers, National Grain Sorghum Producers, National Association of Wheat Growers, New Uses Council, National Barley Growers Association, National Sunflower Association, U. S. Canola Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, Consumer Federation of America, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, and John Deere.